Many people have found reason in taking up cycling. There are those who decide to take up cycling because the price of gas is too high and the cost of maintenance on a vehicle is too high. There are those who choose to cycle because they want to do their part in helping the environment.
And others still are riding simply because they love to ride. Whatever your reason for going cycle shopping there are some definite criteria that you need to think about before you make your choice. Choosing the right bicycle is more than just picking the one that's the best looking. Contained hereafter are some hints and tips you can use to pick the bicycle that is perfect for you.
How your bike brakes is incredibly important. Be sure you know how your brakes work and which type you will likely need. For light use you can get a bike with traditional brakes, ones which simply squeeze the tires with small pads. If you are going to be using your bicycle more often or in heavy terrain, you will want brakes that are a little more hard core and complicated. Disc brakes sit within the wheels themselves and work are less find more likely to give out under stress.
If you want to ride a road bike, you will need to subtract about nine inches from your inseam measurement. The size of the tires a road bike uses are the reason for this. Designed to work best on concrete pavements, road bikes are best suited to cycling around the city. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you will want to subtract about a foot (twelve inches) from your inseam measurement. Again this is to account for the type of tires you will be using. Mountain bike tires are thicker than road bike tires, designed for rocky terrain. Mountain bikes can travel on city pavement but that is not what they are designed to do.
It is important you allow for room between you and the crossbar. When you get a bike be sure to move the seat up a couple of inches from the crossbar. Sit on it and make sure you can rest your feet flat to the ground. Each type of bike requires different clearances. For example a touring bike will require around an inch. With a mountain bike however you will need some more, 3 inches should suffice. When you are searching for the appropriate cycling bicycle to suit you, there are a number of factors to consider. Do you want to ride your bicycle every day or do you see yourself only riding it once in a while? What seat height gives you the most comfortable ride? Do you feel more at ease with your feet just above the ground as you sit on the seat, or would you rather that your feet sit flat when you are at rest? These are some of the things you need to consider when choosing your bike.